Cultural outings

Nature walk in Porquerolles with Vincent Blondel

Meeting point

Quai Lélia Le Ber
83400 Porquerolles
France

Vincent Blondel

PNPC

Port-Cros National Park

Nature walk in Porquerolles with Vincent Blondel

1 day

Medium

289 m

This naturalist day trip allows you to go beyond the postcard image of the island of Porquerolles with its turquoise waters and white sand beaches. It will reveal to you a remarkable nature where since the Antiquity, fauna and flora are closely linked to the presence of the man.

As you stroll along, you'll discover the island's history, from the Roman period onwards, which has left its mark. You'll get to know the 16th century once you reach Fort Sainte-Agathe, which you can visit thanks to your guide's status as a Park ambassador! The island's history also includes the epic story of François-Joseph Fournier, who bought Porquerolles in 1912 and spearheaded a number of projects, including the development of wine and fruit growing. We'll also look at the establishment of the National Botanical Conservatory in 1979, with its varietal collections designed to protect the wild and domesticated species of the Mediterranean.

On the wilder south coast, you'll find a superb panorama of sheer cliffs overlooking the open sea and transparent seabeds. Along the way, we'll talk to you about flora and fauna, observing insects, Hermann's turtles, birds such as shearwaters and gulls, and plants such as serapias (wild orchids) and Jupiter's beard... Porquerolles is also about vines, with the island's three estates expressing the specificity of a very particular terroir.

It's also about water and its cycle organized around the principle of lagooning, the natural recycling of water used to irrigate orchards. The walk takes you from the port to the Gorges du Loup on the south coast, through vineyards and scrubland. Via the sentier des crêtes and Mont de Tielo, you'll reach the calanque du Brégançonnet for a picnic in the crystal-clear waters, before returning to the north coast along the Plage d'Argent and the Botanical Conservatory.

Crossing (1/4 h) from the port of La Tour Fondue in Hyères and parking available for the day.

Can be adapted to full-day or half-day outings.

Full-day duration: 7h. Walking time: 3h30

Period: all year round

Public: families, adults, schools

For groups only. Contact Vincent Blondel directly to schedule your outing.

Picnic not included.

Prices

Price per day : 330 €.

À la rencontre de...

Vincent Blondel, a native of Var, has been living in France for the past 30 years. After studying mathematics and physics, he began his professional life as a computer scientist employed by the American government.

Passionate about nature since childhood, I have always traveled. It was after returning from a long trip that made me open my eyes to the beauty of the world that I made my decision: I had to work in nature.

At 33 years old, he trained for a year as a naturalist guide. He has been practicing this profession for 21 years.

From then on, I never stopped learning.

His latest studies to date: a one-year correspondence course at the Lyon School of Medicinal Plants and another at the Office for Entomological Information But the best training, he says, is in the field!" Vincent Blondel has created many discovery tours throughout the Var.

He gives lectures, leads workshops in schools, collaborates with the Toulon Natural History Museum, which he visits, works on trail signage, and, specialized in ethnobotany, leads training courses on medicinal and edible plants.

Very attached to the spirit of the naturalist guides "We work together and it is a strength", he also defends "and since always" the National Park and its brand.